Wing Commander (Dr) Heindel Tonyi Senayah, a Specialist Obstetrician-Gynaecologist, has called on prospective parents to undergo antenatal and preconception screening to reduce the risk of neonatal jaundice and other newborn complications.
He explained that neonatal jaundice, identified by the yellowing of a baby’s skin and eyes, is caused by elevated levels of bilirubin in the blood. The condition, he noted, is common among newborns but varies in severity depending on its underlying cause.
Dr Senayah, speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency, said the condition is broadly classified into physiological and pathological jaundice. He explained that physiological jaundice is the more common and less severe form, typically appearing after 24 hours of birth and often resolving with minimal treatment.
Pathological jaundice, however, occurs within the first 24 hours of life and may signal more serious health issues such as blood group incompatibility, infections, liver disorders, metabolic conditions, or genetic abnormalities. He stressed that this form requires urgent medical attention.
He highlighted the importance of antenatal care, particularly blood group and Rhesus (Rh) factor testing for both parents, noting that Rh incompatibility between an Rh-negative mother and an Rh-positive baby can contribute to severe jaundice if not properly managed.
According to him, modern medical interventions, including the use of anti-D immunoglobulin during pregnancy, have significantly reduced the risks associated with Rh incompatibility.
Dr Senayah outlined treatment options depending on severity, including proper feeding, phototherapy, and in critical cases, exchange transfusion—a procedure that replaces the baby’s blood with donor blood.
He warned that delayed diagnosis and treatment could result in kernicterus, a rare but serious and permanent brain injury caused by excessive bilirubin buildup.
The specialist urged parents and healthcare providers to closely monitor newborns in the first days after birth for early signs such as yellowing of the eyes and skin, poor feeding, or unusual lethargy.
He emphasised that Rh incompatibility should not discourage marriage or childbearing, but rather highlight the need for proper medical supervision throughout pregnancy.
Dr Senayah concluded by calling for increased awareness and early intervention to ensure better health outcomes for newborns affected by jaundice.
